Florida AG with serious warning about safeguarding deeply personal data: “Floridians are right to be concerned”
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier is alerting the public following the recent bankruptcy filing by genetic testing company 23andMe. On March 23rd, the company announced it had filed for bankruptcy protection, raising serious concerns about the security and future of highly sensitive consumer data—specifically, personal genetic information.
Attorney General Uthmeier emphasized the gravity of the situation, pointing out that Floridians have every reason to be concerned.
“Consumer privacy is paramount, especially when it concerns an individual’s DNA. Floridians are right to be concerned about where their information is held,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “We are offering tips to Floridians who wish to proactively protect their data by requesting the destruction of their test sample and deleting their accounts amid 23andMe’s bankruptcy.”
Known for its direct-to-consumer DNA testing kits, 23andMe has grown its business by analyzing genetic code to offer ancestry and health-related insights. It collects and stores deeply personal biological data in doing business. Although the company claims it will run normally throughout the bankruptcy process and will not change how customer data is stored or protected, the Attorney General is urging people to take proactive measures to secure their information.
Uthmeier’s office has sent a set of clear directions for people who have utilized 23andMe’s services and now want to remove their data. These consist of instructions for logging into their account, downloading their data for personal storage if preferred, and then permanently removing it from 23andMe’s systems. Customers will also have to verify their request via a follow-up company email.
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Users may also ask for the destruction of their physical DNA samples—if they opted to keep them stored. This can be done by changing their preferences in their account settings. The Attorney General additionally advises customers who first consented for their data to be used in third-party studies to think about revoking that authorization; this can also be done via the user’s account dashboard.
Uthmeier underlined that, particularly under Florida’s newly passed Digital Bill of Rights, these activities are entirely within consumers’ rights. Learn more here.
Attorney General Uthmeier advises all Floridians to remain aware and act appropriately to safeguard their privacy as 23andMe navigates the bankruptcy process.
